Autism-Articles

We are entering a new frontier when we talk about stem cell treatment. Although it is available in several countries such as China, Costa Rica, Germany and Mexico it is still in an experimental stage. Basically the therapy involves introducing new cells into areas of tissue that have been damaged. Since stem cells have the ability to self-renew this offers a potential to take diseased tissues and replace them. It is possible that the future may open the door for them to one day assist in improving those people who have been diagnosed with autism. In the United States, President Obama has cleared the way for embryonic stem cell research. The key word in the last sentence is research. Stem cells have the ability to develop into a different type of cell, sometimes to many different types. These exist in our bone marrow, our brain, and under our skin. It is difficult to understand how they work and what they can do. Any parent considering taking their child for such treatm...

Autism is a reality that only a mother of an autistic child can grasp. No one else can truly understand what autism is. Autism is a neural development disorder that normally shows in the early years of a child. An autistic child of 4 years may show any of the following major characteristics or signs of autism: Avoiding eye contact, sometimes touch and excessive noises too. Having trouble to communicate and lack of understanding the meaning of words. Being intensely focused on one thing, like a toy and being unaware of his/her surroundings There are many other "smaller" things that would normally not be called major characteristics or autism symptoms but which would be worth mentioning. Autism is not uncommon and yet no one seems to know the causes of autism. Some doctors speculate that it is a hereditary illness and other believe it is much more intricate as the functions of the brain seems to mystify them. The same bewilderment can be said around autism treatm...

Autism is a lifelong affliction that reduces the ability to understand what is seen, heard, and touched. It can cause profound problems in personal behavior and in the ability to relate to others. Autism Spectrum Disorder Autism is a developmental disability that typically makes its presence felt in the first three years of life. It is in fact a neurological disorder that affects the brain and prevents it from functioning normally. Problems in autism arise in the areas of social development, difficulties in communication and behavior patterns that can be stereotyped. This autism spectrum disorder or ASD has not racial or ethnic boundaries and has an incidence that is the same all round the world. The incidence is said to be one in every 150 births. It is said to be more common in boys than in girls. Autism definition can signify a disorder that causes an escape from reality and immersion into a fantasy world. Traits That Define Autism Social developmental and communica...

It sounds too good to be true - but British scientists are in the late stage of developing a brain scan that can detect autism in children in a total of 15 minutes! Britain has used the scan on adults, to date, and it has proved to be 90 per cent accurate. Presently the scan is being used as an 'extra' diagnostic tool. It is believed that the scan can replace most observational assessments in the future. The scan has been developed by scientists at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London. The scan takes pictures of the brain using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This is similar to those used in hospitals. The scans are then turned into 3D images. Next they are analyzed by computer software. The software has been programmed so that it is capable of spotting hallmarks of autism in the structure of various brain areas. Although it has been highly accurate in testing adults with autism it is believed it will work even better with children. Those ...

It has been known in autism circles that such activities as swimming and horseback riding often helps to reduce stress, tantrums, body rigidity, and other issues an autistic person faces. Recently a new sport, that of surfing, has been added to the list of programs that can offer calming to those suffering from the disability. However, before you rush out, buy a surfboard, and travel with your child across the country to find the most perfect surfing area, you first need to look at some possibilities with surfing just like you would before you introduced your autistic child to any other new activity. Perhaps the most important thing to determine is if your child will even be willing to enter the world of the ocean with the pounding waves. For some children this can be overwhelming - for an autistic child it will most likely open an exciting new world or it might be one of the most traumatic scenes you can expose him/her to. While some will disagree, I strongly oppose f...

Many of us love to receive hugs and to give them. For the autistic child, hugs can actually hurt, or be extremely uncomfortable and unpleasant. But it doesn't have to be. There are ways you can hug your child, that will please them instead. Before you reach out your arms to wrap them around your child, you need to understand some basic things. And to keep in mind, every child is different, and what works for one, may not necessarily work for another. With a little patience you will discover what works best for your child. First, know that what feels good to you, the warmth, the tightness, the comfort of a hug, doesn't feel the same for them. It can feel anything but. The autistic child does not understand the hug, what it happening to them, or that you are simply looking to show them a little love. Secondly, a lot of children with autism find pressure to be comforting, but it has to be on their own terms. That is why things like pressure mats, or beanbag blanke...

Autism was thought to have a cure from the 1950s to the 1970s. It was devastation to many mothers of an autistic child - not to mention the stigma attached to each of these women. During this period it was believed that the medical establishment had found the cause to autism. It was said that the disability was due to poor mothering - hence the moms received the label, "Refrigerator Mothers." It was believed that their poor mothering skills along with their emotional frigidity caused autism. Doctors said their cold behavior toward their child led the autistic daughter or son to have speech difficulties, problems in socializing with others, and their never-ending rituals. What a cruel punishment these women suffered! Their life was obviously difficult enough raising an autistic child. Then, to be labeled as a "Refrigerator Mother," this could do nothing less than cause them continued mental anguish, low self-esteem, and many other issues. It is diffi...